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P. A. O'NEILL Aug. 7, 1956 DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PAINT, LACQUER, OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTOR.

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Original Filed May 5, 1951 P. A. O'NEILL Aug. 7, 1956 DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PAINT, LACQUER, OR THE LIKE IN V EN TOR.

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P. A. O'NEILL Aug. 7, 1956 DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PAINT, LACQUER, OR THE LIKE Original Filed May 5, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Z W ATTOENEY- United States Patent DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PAINT, LACQUER OR THE LIKE Paul A. ONeill, San Francisco, Calif., assi'gnor to Union Machine Company, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of California Original application May 1951, Serial No. 224,764. Divided and this application October 5, 1953, Serial No. 387,387

4 Claims. (Cl. 259-408) This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing liquids, such as paint, lacquer, thinners, or the like.

This application is a division of an application of Paul A. ONeill, Serial No. 224,764, filed May 5, 1951, entitled Dispensing Apparatus for Paint, Lacquer, or the Like, now abandoned.

It is known to provide a plurality of containers, carrying paint or the like, in which the containers are so arranged that any one of them may be positioned to discharge a quantity of paint, thinner, or lacquer into a common mixing container.

It is one of the objects of this invention to improve in general, dispensing apparatus of this general character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a support for each of the dispensing containers that facilitates removal and replacement of the container.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a simple and effective mechanism making it possible to operate an agitator which may be disconnected from the source of motion while the container is in dispensing position.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there .is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims;

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a paint mining apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, the housing being shown in sections;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view, plane corresponding to line 2-2 of 'Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, plane corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the paint container in dispensing position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the coupling structure for driving the agitator shaft;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views, taken along a plane corresponding to lines 6'-6 and 7--7 of Fig. '5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the clamping structure forholding the container;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a container with its cover;.and

Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views, taken along planes correspondin'g'to lines 11-11 and 12-12 of Fig. 10.

In the present instance, the dispenser structure includes four cans or containers 1 of identical structure arranged with their axes generally in ,parallel relation, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Each of the containers is provided with a taken .along a taken along a 2,757,910 Patented Aug. 7, 1956 2 cover structure 2 which is shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 10, 11, and-l2.

The containers 1 are of the usual paint can type, having a bead 3 at the top and a head 34: at the bottom. The cover 2 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 4 (Figs. 4 and 8) that is forced into the top of the can and held by friction between the head 3 and the lip 5.

Each of the containers lis disposed in a support that may be tilted for moving the can or container 1 to the dispensing position of Fig. 4. In this position, the valve structure 6, mounted on the cover member 2, may be opened in order to discharge the liquid into a mixing receptacle or can, such as shown, for example, in Patent No. 2,537,277, granted in the name of E. M. ONeill on January 9, 1951, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The supporting structure for :each of the cans includes an annular base member 7. This base member may have a flange 8 into which the bottom of the can or container 1 may be telescoped. Rising from diametrically opposite portions of the base 7 is a pair of bars 9 and 10 (see, also, Figs. -8 and 9). The upper ends 11 and 12 of these bars are bent inwardly. These ends have lower inclined clamping surfaces 13. The inclination of these surfaces 13 on the ends 11 and 12 are both in the same direction.

These clamping surfaces cooperate with corresponding inclined upper surfaces of the bosses 14 mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the cover 2. In order to clamp the container 1 onto the supporting structure, including the base 7 and the bars 9 and 10, the container l may be placed on the'base 7 with the projections 14 angularly displaced from the ends 11 and 12. Then, by turning the container in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, and as indicated by the arrow 15 of Fig. .9, the clamping surfaces engage the upper inclined surfaces of the bosses 14. Thisclockwise movement may be continued until a satisfactory frictional engagement is obtained.

The removal of the container 1 from its support is effected by relative counterclockwise movement of the container 1 with respect 'to its support.

Each of the bars 9 and 10 is provided with a pin 16 located on an axis transverse of the axis of the container 1, and by the aid of which the can or container may be ,pivo'ted. The pivotal support for the cans or containers 1 "is provided by the aid of downwardly extending brackets 17 that have horizontal legs 18. These legs 18 are attached to the side of a shelf 19 which is made a part of the housing structure '20. The pins 16 extend through the brackets 17, as indicated most clearly in Fig. l. The lower ends of adjacent brackets 17 are rigidly held in spaced-apart relation by spacer sleeves 21. Through each sleeve extends a screw '22, to hold the sleeve in place.

Furthermore, these pivot pins '16 are placed substantially above the bottom of the can or container 1. Accordingly, stable equilibrium in the position of Fig. 1 is attained even when the can is almost full.

Tilting of any one of the cans or containers 1 is limited, as indicated in Fig. 4, by the lower surface 23 of a strap '24 supported below shelf 19.

Each "o'f'the containers 1 "is provided with an agitator structnre. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3., an agitator paddle 24 is located near the, bottom of the container 1. The paddle '24 is mounted on the bottom of an agitator shaft 25 (see, also, 5.). shaft 25 is appropriately .jounnalled in the inwardly directed boss 26 of the cover -2. This boss 26 carries a bearing sleeve 27. Packing washers 28 and v'29 are provided at the opposite ends of the bearing sleeve 27. A collar is mounted on shaft 25 to provide a step bearing for the shaft 25 on the exterior of the cover 2.

The upper end 31 of the shaft 25 is provided with a diametrically disposed slot 32 for the accommodation of a transverse coupling pin 33. This coupling pin 33 extends transversely across a coupling member 34 which is arranged to be driven by appropriate transmission mechanism from electric motor 35. (see Figs. 1 and 2), mounted on the lower surface of shelf 19.

The coupling 34 has an extension 36 (Figs. and 6) into which is threaded a cap 37. This cap 37 is driven by the driving shaft 38 by the aid of a pin 39 which projects into a slot 40 formed in the member 37. A compression spring 41 is disposed around the reduced end 42 of the shaft 38, and its lower end rests against a shoulder 43 formed within the coupling sleeve 34. This spring urges the coupling sleeve 34 downwardly, so as to place the pin 33 into the slot 32.

When the sleeve 34 is moved upwardly, the spring 41 is compressed, and pin 33 is moved up out of the slot 32 (Fig. 4). The paddle 24 is thus disconnected from drive shaft 38. In this position, the container 1 may be tilted for a dispensing operation.

The cover member 2 has a semi-circular boss 44 (Figs. 5, 7, and which extends halfway around the sleeve 34. This boss 44 thus provides a limit to the movement of the container 1 in a clockwise direction toward the driving position of Figs. 3 and 5.

All of the containers 1 are provided with similar agitator driving means.

In order to move the sleeve 34 upwardly, a shift mechanism is provided that simultaneously operates all of the coupling sleeves 34.

Thus, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1,2, 3, and 4, a fork 45 is provided for each of the coupling sleeves 34 that engages underneath the shoulder 46 formed on each of the coupling sleeves. All of the forks 45 are attached to a pivoted transverse bar 47. This transverse bar 47 is provided with end pivot pins 48 (Fig. 1) pivotally mounted in the end brackets 17.

For moving the bar 47 about its pivot, so as to raise the coupling sleeves 34, there is provided a manually operable handle structure 49 having a downwardly extending pistol grip-like configuration. This handle 49 is mounted upon the bar 45 as by the aid of the bolts 50. The handle 49 may be maintained, if desired, in the elevated position of Fig. 4, corresponding to the uncoupling of the driving shaft 38 from the driven shaft 25. For this purpose, a latch 51 is pivotally mounted on the side of the handle 49. It is arranged to engage either the lower notch 52 or the upper notch 53'of a latch member 54. The latch 51 is so proportioned that its cen- When the handle 49 is raised in its upper position, the

operator can release his grip on the handle 49 and tilt any one of the containers 1. After the containers 1 are returned to their upright positions, the coupling sleeves 34 may be returned to their lower operative positions by operating the trigger 57 to release the latch 51. the handle 49 and the coupling sleeves 34 move to the lowered positions, the latch 51 is automatically effected.

Each of the driving shafts 38 extends upwardly through an appropriate bearing bushing 58 appropriately When supported by the shelf 19. The upper end of each shaft 38 carries a sprocket wheel 59. These sprocket wheels are driven by a driving sprocket wheel 60 by the aid of a chain 61, which is also engaged around an idler sprocket wheel 90. The chain 61 is passed around the wheels 59, 60, and 90 in such fashion that the chain engages each of the driven sprocket wheels 59 over a substantial arc.

The driving sprocket wheel 60 is operated by the motor 35 through the pulleys 62 and 64 and a V-belt 63. The pulley 64 is mounted on the shaft of wheel 60. Motor 35 is mounted upon shelf 19.

At the front of the casing 20 there is a downwardly directed flange 65 that serves to house one or more electric lamp sockets 66 controlled by a tumbler switch 67.

As shown most clearly in Figs. 10, 11, and 12, the cover member 2 is provided with a valve structure 6 for permitting the can or container 1 to discharge the paint or liquid when in the discharging position of Fig. 4. For this purpose, the cover 2 has a hollow boss 68 providing a port opening or aperture 69. At the upper end of this boss, a valve seat surface 70 is provided, cooperating with a sliding valve closure 71. This valve closure 71 is resiliently mounted in the lever 72. The lever 72 is pivotally mounted upon a sleeve 73, supported upon the boss 68 as by the aid of the screw 75. This sleeve 73 has a shoulder 76 confining lever 72 to an angular movement.

When the lever 72 is angularly moved, as by its handle 91, the closure 71 covers and uncovers the port 69 by sliding on the seat 70. The lever 72 is provided with a projection 77 that operates as a stop between the shoulders 79 and 80 of the boss 68.

The cover 2 is provided with another hollow boss 81. In this boss there is a through aperture to form a vent 86. This vent is closed by the rotary closure member 82 when the valve structure 6 is in the closed position. When lever 72 is moved to open position, an aperture 85 in the member 82 aligns with vent 86 to open it. This is effected by the aid of a link 83 that connects the lever 72 with the closure member 82. This link has upturned ends engaging in apertures in lever 72 and member 82. The closure member 82 for the vent 86 is rotatably mounted about the screw 89 which is threaded into the boss 82.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus of the character described: a container; means pivotally supporting the container on an axis transverse to the container and so located that the weight of the container urges the container to an upright position; a cover for the container; an agitator in the container; a first rotary member mounting said agitator and having an end extending beyond the cover; a second rotary member; said container when in said upright position locating the end of said first rotary member in suhstantially aligned relationship with said second rotary member; a coupling sleeve mounted on said second rotary member for axial movement with respect thereto and for rotation therewith; said coupling sleeve having a cylindrical portion; axially separable coupling elements carried by said first rotary member and said coupling sleeve respectively; andresilient means carried by said second rotary member for urging said coupling sleeve toward coupling position; said cover having an arcuate projection engaging one side of said cylindrical portion when said container is in said upright position to prevent tilt- .ing of said container in one direction past upright position and to determine an aligned relationship between the coupling sleeve and said first rotary member.

2. In apparatus of the character described: a support; a rotary driving member carried by said support; a container pivoted on the support about an axis transverse to the container; a cover for the container; an agitator in the container; a rotary driven member mounting the agitator and extending beyond the cover; said rotary members being substantially aligned when said container is in an upright position; a coupling sleeve rotatably coupled to and slidably carried by the rotary driving member; resilient means urging said coupling member toward one position; axially separable coupling elements carried by the coupling sleeve and the other rotary member, and in operative relationship when said container is in said upright position and when said coupling sleeve is in said one postion; an operator engageable with the coupling sleeve and carried by the support for moving said coupling sleeve away from said one position; and a mechanism automatically latching said operator in coupling sleeve releasing position. 3

3. In apparatus of the character described: a support; a rotary driving member carried by said support; a container pivoted on the support about an axis transverse to the container; a cover for the container; an agitator in the container; a rotary driven member mounting the agitator and extending beyond the cover; said rotary members being substantially aligned when said container is in an upright position; a coupling sleeve rotatably coupled to and slidably carried by the rotary driving member; resilient means urging said coupling member toward one position; axially separablecoupling elements carried by the coupling sleeve and the rotary driven member, and in operative relationship when said container is in said upright position and when said coupling sleeve is in said one position; an operator engageable with the coupling sleeve and carried by the support for moving said coupling sleeve away from said one position; and a mechanism automatically latching said operator in coupling sleeve releasing position; said cover having a semicircular boss engaging one side of said coupling sleeve when said container is in said upright position to prevent tilting movement of the container in one direction past upright position.

4. In apparatus of the character described: a support; a rotary driving member carried by said support; a container pivoted on the support about an axis transverse to the container; a cover for the container; an agitator in the container; a rotary driven member mounting the agitator and extending beyond the cover; said rotary members being substantially aligned when said container is upright; a coupling sleeve rotatably coupled to and slidably carried by one of the rotary members; coupling elements carried by the coupling sleeve and the other rotary member, and axially separable upon retraction of said coupling sleeve; resilient means urging the sleeve to one position; an operator engageable with the coupling sleeve and carried by the support for moving said sleeve to the other position; and a mechanism automatically and releasably latching said operator in a position to maintain said sleeve in said other position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Griflin June 8, 1954 

